Category: BLUE BLOODS

A television era has come to an end. Last Friday’s Blue Bloods episode marked the final one, as CBS has canceled the show despite its consistently strong ratings. In my opinion, it was one of the best series on television during its 14-season run. As a lifelong New Yorker, I appreciated the stellar performances from a cast led by Tom Selleck and the show’s unwavering support for the police, as well as its advocacy for traditional family values.

Blue Bloods centered on the Reagan family, a multi-generational line of law enforcement officers in New York City. Frank Reagan, portrayed by Selleck, served as the NYPD commissioner, following in the footsteps of his father, Henry, also a former commissioner. Frank’s children, Danny (a detective), Jamie (a sergeant), and Erin (a prosecutor), as well as Jamie’s wife, Eddie Janko, were all involved in the NYPD. A tragic chapter in the family’s story was the death of Frank’s older son, Joe, who was killed in the line of duty. Recently, Joe Hill, Joe’s son, emerged as a new member of the NYPD, using his mother’s surname.

While Blue Bloods certainly focused on solving crimes, it also explored the personal side of law enforcement, showing how the often difficult realities of police work affected the Reagan family. Unlike many other crime dramas, the show never bowed to political or corporate pressures to portray cops negatively, even during the height of the “Defund the Police” movement in 2020.

But Blue Bloods wasn’t about portraying cops as perfect. It showed them as human beings who face dangerous situations daily, willing to risk their lives for others, often making difficult decisions and dealing with the aftermath — including being second-guessed by critics who have never had to confront violent criminals.

As a recent Newsday article pointed out, Blue Bloods had a particularly strong following on Long Island, where many police officers and their families live, as well as commuters who travel to the city for work.

I admit to having a personal bias. My father served in the NYPD for over 30 years before retiring as a lieutenant. I also have many friends who work or have worked in the NYPD and other police departments. It was a privilege to closely observe police work during my time on the House Homeland Security Committee.

I had the chance to meet the Blue Bloods cast during visits to their Brooklyn studio and shooting locations on Long Island. All of them were exceptional people, especially Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg (Danny), and Will Estes (Jamie). Steve Schirripa, who played Anthony Abetemarco, was also a standout — just as genuine as the character he portrayed.

I’m not one to be starstruck. Having met many public figures, I can say with certainty that the Blue Bloods cast was the real deal.

The big question remains: Why did CBS cancel a show with such loyal viewership and strong ratings? Was it because Blue Bloods resisted corporate pressure to be more progressive or “woke”? Were its traditional values, such as support for law enforcement, family, and patriotism, too out of step for some of its advertisers?

Regardless of the reasons, Blue Bloods fans will always have the memories of the Reagan family and their iconic Sunday dinners.

It’s Friday night, the time when we usually sit down for dinner with the Reagan family on Blue Bloods. However, this evening brings some disappointing news for fans.

First off, there’s no new episode tonight. Last week’s episode marked the final one for the season. As is typical, Blue Bloods goes on a break over the holiday season, with new episodes often returning in January. But here’s where things take a turn for the worse.

Sadly, CBS has confirmed that Blue Bloods has come to an end. The previous episode wasn’t just a midseason finale; it was the series finale. The show won’t be returning. While many of us hoped for a last-minute change of heart from CBS, it’s clear that Blue Bloods has wrapped up for good. The ending was emotional and intense, with the writers clearly knowing how much the show meant to us. For some, the finale worked, bringing closure to the Reagans’ story, but it’s still a hard pill to swallow.

Despite the show still performing well in the ratings and the main cast expressing their desire to continue, Blue Bloods has said goodbye. Fans were hoping for the milestone of 15 seasons, but it seems we’ll have to accept that the story is over.

There have been talks of a Blue Bloods spin-off, though no concrete details have emerged. CBS is reportedly considering it, which offers a glimmer of hope for those who want to see more of the Reagan family. While we know that Frank and Danny won’t be the focus of a potential spin-off, there’s a chance we could see some of the younger members of the family take the spotlight.

For now, we’ll hold on to the hope of a spin-off and continue to cherish the episodes we have. Blue Bloods is available for streaming on Paramount+ for those who want to relive the Reagans’ journey.

Why Blue Bloods’ Family Dinner Scenes Matter, According to Vanessa Ray

Blue Bloods has carved a unique niche in the police procedural genre by focusing on the Reagan family, a tight-knit clan dedicated to law enforcement. Among the show’s most cherished elements are its iconic family dinner scenes, where the Reagans gather to share meals, discuss personal challenges, and debate work-related issues. According to Vanessa Ray, who plays Eddie Janko, these moments are key to the show’s lasting appeal.

In an interview with The Nerds of Color, Ray emphasized the importance of the family dinners, calling them essential for keeping the audience emotionally invested. She praised these scenes for offering a meaningful pause from the show’s intense action, allowing viewers to see the Reagans resolve conflicts and strengthen their familial bonds.

Ray fondly recalled a defining moment from Season 8 when Eddie officially became part of the Reagan family, making her first appearance at the dinner table. For her, that scene symbolized Eddie’s full acceptance into the family and underscored the deeper meaning behind these shared meals.

Beyond food, Ray highlighted that the dinners represent unity, love, and understanding. As Blue Bloods continues to captivate its audience, fans can expect even more heartfelt moments around the Reagan family table.

CBS’ latest update following the Blue Bloods series finale has only added to the frustration surrounding the show’s cancellation. The Tom Selleck-led police and family drama was a fan favorite for all 14 seasons, yet CBS stuck to its decision to end the series despite widespread fan protests and the cast’s expressed desire to continue. However, the Blue Bloods season 14 finale, “End of Tour,” provided a fitting conclusion that exemplified why the show was so beloved.

In this final episode, the Reagan family comes together to tackle the chaos caused by the Ace Double Tres gang, which includes killing a judge, shooting at Eddie and killing her partner, and attempting to assassinate the mayor. The episode’s core, however, is the final Reagan family dinner, where the family celebrates happy news—such as Eddie’s pregnancy—and shares one last meal together, underscoring the importance of family at the heart of the series.

Blue Bloods consistently outperformed most shows on Friday nights, a notoriously difficult time slot, proving its enduring popularity. While ratings did dip in later years, they were still strong enough to justify the show’s continued success. The final season’s ratings were notably high, with the series finale drawing the highest viewership of the season. According to TVLine, “End of Tour” averaged 6.7 million viewers, a 3% increase over the midseason finale’s numbers, reinforcing that interest in the show was still strong.

Despite the show’s impressive ratings and loyal fanbase, CBS decided to cancel Blue Bloods, a move that many see as a missed opportunity to continue a proven hit. The fan-driven campaign to save the show highlighted how deeply viewers cared about the series, and the cancellation risks alienating millions who had been devoted to the Reagan family for over a decade.